Method of applying a skin beneficial agent to an absorbent article

Abstract

Method of applying a skin beneficial agent to an absorbent article including a topsheet layer having a body facing surface and a garment facing surface, the article having a longitudinal front portion, a longitudinal back portion and a crotch portion located between the front and the back portion. The method includes at least the step of printing, by means of an in-line synchronized print technique, a water based ink composition including a binder and a microencapsulated skin beneficial agent on the article, the skin beneficial agent being at least a partly hydrophobic or lipophilic substance or additive, and the microcapsule material being water-insoluble at 20° C.

1 . A method of applying a skin beneficial agent to an absorbent article comprising a topsheet layer having a body facing surface and a garment facing surface, the article having a longitudinal front portion, a longitudinal back portion and a crotch portion located between the front and the back portion, comprising:
 printing, by means of an in-line synchronized print technique, a water based ink composition comprising a binder and a microencapsulated skin beneficial agent on the article, each layer of the absorbent article having a garment facing surface and a body facing surface, and the ink being applied to any of said surfaces, the skin beneficial agent being at least a partly hydrophobic or lipophilic substance or additive, and the microcapsule material being water-insoluble at 20° C.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skin beneficial agent is applied on more than 0.1% and less than 10% of a surface area of the article. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of microcapsules with skin beneficial agent on a surface of the article is 0.01-1.0 g/m 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the microencapsulated skin beneficial agent is printed on a zone or area selected from:
 along longitudinal side edges of the crotch portion;   a central area of the crotch portion;   a central area of the front portion;   a central area of the back portion.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ink composition is printed on a surface selected from a body facing surface and a garment facing surface of the topsheet. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the article further comprises a backsheet and an intermediate layer and the ink composition is printed on the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article further comprises a wing extending from each longitudinal side edge of the article and microencapsulated skin beneficial agent is printed on an area of said wings. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ink composition comprises a pigment or a dye. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the size of the microcapsules is 3-30 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skin beneficial agent is water-insoluble at 20° C. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skin beneficial agent is selected from oil, fat or wax or is a mixture or derivative of any of these. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skin beneficial agent is from a natural source. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skin beneficial agent is selected from extracts from plants, herbs, fruits, seeds, spices and oils. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the article is selected from a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an incontinence pad, an incontinence diaper, a belted diaper or a baby diaper. 
     
     
         15 . An absorbent article comprising a topsheet layer having a body facing surface and a garment facing surface, the article having a longitudinal front portion, a longitudinal back portion and a crotch portion located between the front and the back portion, wherein the article has a water based ink composition comprising a binder and a microencapsulated skin beneficial agent printed by means of an in-line synchronized print technique thereon, each layer of the absorbent article having a garment facing surface and a body facing surface, and the ink being applied to any of said surfaces, the skin beneficial agent being at least a partly hydrophobic or lipophilic substance or additive, and the microcapsule material being water-insoluble at 20° C.